Kerry Seeks to Soothe Saudi Concerns on Syria, Iran
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Date: 11/4/2013 6:35:15 AM
Sender: VOA
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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is escorted by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, as Kerry arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 3, 2013.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting with Saudi King Abdullah as he tries to soothe diplomatic ties frayed by differences over U.S. policy on Syria and Iran.
Prior to the meeting Monday, Kerry called Saudi Arabia the "senior player" in the Arab world. He told staff at the U.S. embassy in Riyadh the two nations have important things to discuss to ensure their relationship is "on track."
He also reiterated the U.S. position that Iran will not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
The one-day visit included talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.
Saudi Arabia, which backs Sunni Muslim-led rebels fighting to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has voiced concern that proposed Syrian peace talks backed by Washington could leave an Iranian-backed government in power in Damascus. Saudi leaders are also known to be upset over recent U.S. overtures toward strategic Saudi rival Iran.
To underscore those concerns, Saudi Arabia last month rejected a seat on the U.N. Security Council that the United States had supported.
Kerry said Sunday during a brief stop in Egypt that the Obama administration understands the security concerns of Sunni nations about Shi＇ite Iran and said Washington is committed to "major defensive relationships" in the Middle East.
Kerry used his six-hour visit to Cairo to reassure Egypt＇s army-backed government that Washington remains a committed "friend and partner," despite suspending some military aid to Egypt.
The Obama administration last month suspended delivery of Apache helicopters and F-16 fighter jets, after criticizing the Egyptian military for removing the country＇s first democratically-elected president, Mohamed Morsi, and replacing him with an interim government.
The aid suspension prompted Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy to say U.S.-Egyptian relations were in turmoil. But Sunday, speaking alongside Kerry, Fahmy said he had received "indications" that relations are returning to normal.
Kerry＇s other stops include Israel and the West Bank for meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He also is due to visit Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco and Poland. |
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